Kirilenko: 'There are a lot of Brooklyn fans due to all the components—a Russian player, a Russian owner, and there’s a huge Russian community in Brooklyn.' Source: Iliya Pitalev / RIA Novosti

On the hopes for NBA title victory

“The preseason officially starts in late
September. So just a few days more, and then it all begins. As far as Brooklyn
is concerned, I’ve been given the rare opportunity to be on a team where there
are a lot of players who can play basketball at the highest level. And this
really is a great chance: It’s the possibility to fight for the title. It
doesn’t mean we’ll win, but it’s a chance to fight for the title. Naturally,
it’s going to be hard to do—Miami is the main contender, and there are a lot of
teams that look fantastic. But, overall, it’s the first time in my career when
I’m playing for a team that, from the outset, from the beginning of the season,
is a favorite.”

“I think there’s a good possibility for a
CSKA-Brooklyn game. I don’t know about next year, but I think anything is
possible. In any case, it will happen—I’m sure of that. For Russia, Brooklyn is
becoming a home team. Not for everyone, of course: Some people still root for
the Lakers or Miami. But there are a lot of [Brooklyn] fans due to all the
components—a Russian player, a Russian owner, and there’s a huge Russian
community in Brooklyn. I’m counting all Russians, including Ukrainians—all the
Russian speakers. We’re all a product of the USSR.”

A time for changes on the Russian team

“Of course, like all fans, I was
disappointed in the Eurobasket results [in which the Russian team was
eliminated after the group stage]. I think the time had come for changes
for the Russian team. When I joined the team 14 years ago, there was also an
older generation that was leaving and a younger one coming in. The results were
not impressive. Now there is a similar situation, so people need to be patient.
In this situation, it’s hard for the both the players and the coaches, but they
just need to grit their teeth and work. I think this is outstanding experience
for the guys: They take a hit now so they can fall and then get back up.”

“I gave 14 years to the [Russian] team,
and now I feel that it’s time to step away. I have far too little time for my
family. This year, when I wasn’t playing for the team anymore, I really got to
know my kids well: I found out what they like, what they don’t like, what
sports they most want to do. This might sound a little funny, but I don’t want
to miss seeing my kids grow up because I’m playing basketball. I think I’ve
done pretty well when it comes to the teams and my personal club career. I
might have two, three or four more years left to play. After that, I physically
won’t be able to keep playing at as high a level. As a professional, I want to
play at the highest level. Of course, on the one hand this is a very hard
decision, but, on the other hand, it’s very easy. But it feels good.”

Sergei Karasev’s chances with
Cleveland

“I have just one piece of advice for
Sergei: Work, work and work some more. The NBA can create and develop talents.
Of course, he won’t get a lot of playing time right away, but he’ll have a
fabulous opportunity to show what he can do, since Cleveland has a lot of young
guys and Sergei will definitely get his chance. How he takes advantage of this
chance is up to him alone.”